November 22, 2007
Federer edges Sampras in Malaysian exhibition match
By DAN GUEN CHIN
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Roger Federer overcame Pete Sampras' stubborn resistance Thursday to beat the retired legend 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) in their second Asian exhibition match.
The top-ranked Swiss star won their last encounter 6-4, 6-3 in South Korea on Tuesday, but the latest clash in Malaysia took nearly 90 minutes and proved a bit more difficult.
Their age difference became the decisive factor --- at 26, Federer was never in danger of losing against an opponent a decade older who retired from competitive tennis five years ago.
Nevertheless, Sampras, who has won a record 14 Grand Slams, showcased his big serves and hit ferocious forehand returns down the line --- the hallmarks of his 1990s heyday.
The pair traded point for point in both sets in Malaysia's Malawati Stadium, where Sampras had the crowd gasping at his ability to prevent Federer from steamrolling over him.
"I was impressed with Pete tonight," Federer told reporters. "He played some unbelievable shots, but then again he is capable of doing that. He had an incredible serve which was so difficult to read tonight."
Federer --- who has won 12 Grand Slam titles --- said he knew that Sampras would improve after their first match in Seoul "and tonight he didn't prove me wrong."
Sampras acknowledged Federer's superiority in the match.
"I am happy with my performance tonight. I hung in there right until the end," he said.
Sampras retired in 2002, a year after his only previous meeting with Federer at Wimbledon. Federer won that fourth-round match in five sets.
They are playing three Asian exhibition matches this week that will culminate in a final get-together in Macau on Saturday.
22 November 2007
Federer beats Sampras again
Roger Federer continued to show the legendary Pete Sampras who is the current master as he beat the American 7-6 7-6 in Kuala Lumpur.
This was the Swiss star's second victory over Sampras in the space of three days. The pair are taking part in a three-match exhibition series with the last match in Macau on Saturday.
Although Federer is 2-0 up in the series, the 36-year-old Sampras showed he has still got a lot of the natural skill which saw him win a record 14 grand slams.
Even Federer admitted he still couldn't read the awesome Sampras serve.
"He's got the most incredible serve you know. I can't read it, he serves it to the line, he serves harder than me," said Federer, who is closing in on his opponent's haul of grand slam titles with 12 to his name so far.
"I am really, really impressed by the way he's been playing," added the world number one.
Sampras retired in 2002 after winning the US Open. He dominated the men's game for over a decade, but he admitted that Federer was probably the best player he had ever faced.
"I had a taste of what the best is and I think Roger has that extra gear," said Sampras.
"He has good volleys and he has this little backhand flick that honestly, I have never seen before... it's something that I didn't have."
Federer and Sampras only faced each other once in a competitive match with the 26-year-old Federer coming out on top in a titanic five-set battle.
November 23, 2007
Federer Edges Sampras In Classic "Clash Of Times"
SHAH ALAM, Nov 22 (Bernama) --- Pete Sampras showed Malaysian tennis fans why he was the former World number one and the most celebrated player in tennis history when he stretched current World number one Roger Federer to the limit in the `Clash of Times' before losing 6-7 (6-8), 6-7 (5-7) at the Malawati Stadium, here tonight.
Though Sampras lost the thrilling and pulsating encounter, the former World number one walked out with his head held high and a winner in the hearts of his ardent fans who backed him all the way throughout the match, cheering every winning shot he managed past his opponent who is 10 years younger and who a week ago clinched his fourth Masters title in Shanghai.
"It was a great match, Pete Sampras played some excellent tennis and the Malaysian fans were simply fantastic," said Federer before receiving his winning prize from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.
Sampras, 36, winner of 14 Grand Slams in his career and who stayed as the world number one for six consecutive years from 1993 to 1998, had lost 4-6, 3-6 in their first exhibition match in Seoul two days ago but he put up a vintage performance today and gave Federer a run for his money.
Nothing separated the duo in the first set which went into a tie-break that was eventually won by Federer 8-6 and the second set was no different as both players had to battle it out in yet another tie-break with Federer again emerging winner with a 7-5 score.
About 10,000 fans packed the Malawati Stadium for the event held as part of the Malaysian Independence Tennis Festival with the others being the `Clash of Titans' between World number two Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet, which was won by Nadal on Tuesday and the ongoing ATP Malaysian Open Challenger Series.
Meanwhile, Federer, 26, winner of 12 Grand Slams already and who is expected to equal, if not surpass Sampras' record, was simply in his element today and was always in command of the exchanges although the scores look very formidable in favour of Sampras.
The duo will next leave for their third exhibition match in Macau next week.
22 November, 2007
Federer, Sampras cool to heated row between media and security
By PAUL CHOO
KUALA LUMPUR: A heated argument between a photographer and a security bouncer at a hotel here nearly marred a press conference by tennis greats Roger Federer and Pete Sampras.
The players had arrived earlier yesterday in a private jet at the Subang airport and were scheduled to meet the press prior to their Clash of Times match at the Melawati Stadium in Shah Alam tonight.
After both stars had emerged from their limousines at the hotel entrance, they posed for pictures with the hotel's general manager in the lobby.
When the more than 20 photographers moved towards them to get better shots of the trio, burly security bouncers prevented their intent by using force.
Ugly scene: Photographers and hotel security personnel engaging in a war of words just before the press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
An annoyed photographer then screamed at one of the bouncers, who in turn retaliated with threats. A few more photographers then joined in the war of words.
As both photographer and bouncer threatened each other, Sampras and Federer, who were nearby, looked dumbfounded. They were then led away by security officers to a holding room before the press conference.
The event organisers and hotel management managed to prevent another incident between the photographer and bouncer during the press conference with some coaxing and apologies.
Federer later laughed off the incident.
"I guess you are all probably glad to see me here --- there's too much excitement," he joked.
The 26-year-old world number one spoke later that he had heard wonderful things about Malaysia, and was keen to visit its beaches on his next vacation.
During Sampras' interview session, "Pistol Pete" said he was enjoying his retirement from tennis, but that he was looking forward to facing Federer again tonight after their exhibition match in South Korea on Tuesday.
"Yes, I'm enjoying my life now and I'm happy to be able to sleep in my own bed and not having to travel regularly around the world."
"I don't miss that lifestyle anymore because after some time it takes its toll. I love my two children and wife and want to spend as much time with them as I can," he said.